Family-Friendly Historic Things to Do in Sheridan: Trails of American Outlaws
For those drawn to fierce New West wonder with a side of emerald-city history, welcome to Sheridan, Wyoming. Families, come step into the origin story, a place where historic things to do leap off the trails. Kick up your boots in the Bighorns and walk through a fabled storybook of the American West.
Towering peaks cowboys first spotted as they rode into town. Quiet foothills where pioneers fought for their American dreams. Craving a rare adventure on your epic family road trip? Sheridan offers Western wonder, vibrant culture, and history to immerse all ages in awe.
You’re in Cowboy City Now: Uncover These Frontier Roots
The land of Buffalo Bill and the desperadoes, home to Butch Cassidy’s secret passageway and Wild West Show auditions on the Sheridan Inn lawn. Follow in the footsteps of outlaws across a bold tapestry of history and culture, where families can glimpse what made the American West thrive. Many of Sheridan’s sacred sites and historic things to do invite families to journey through time. Experience the frontier as it once was against Wyoming’s stunning landscapes.
A Centuries-Old Landmark Awaits in the Bighorns
High above the valley floor, at over 10,000 feet, the Bighorn Medicine Wheel rises as a beacon of Native American heritage. This sacred site is a must-see on your list of historic things to do, offering families a window into centuries of living traditions. Once a compass for the Plains tribes, this stone circle of honor and legacy enchants beyond its age, set against sweeping Bighorn Mountain vistas.
Secrets of the Outlaws: Hole-in-the-Wall Adventures
You can’t tell Sheridan’s frontier history without the tales of outlaws who roamed these lands. South of town, the notorious Hole-in-the-Wall awaited (a hidden pass where Butch Cassidy’s Wild Bunch plotted and vanished into the wild). Families can explore a log cabin preserved at Old Trail Town in nearby Cody, glimpsing the lives of these legendary renegades.
Iron Tracks That Sparked a City of Western Dreams
Next up on your list of historic things to do: When the Burlington & Missouri Railroad arrived in 1892, Sheridan’s New West transformation was set in motion. Families can imagine the town racing from frontier settlement to vibrant hub, where industry and commerce sparked a new Western ambition. Today, both of the city’s historic train depots signal enduring monuments to this era, letting kids wander the very iron rails that connected the West to the nation.
Where Legends Clashed: Explore Sheridan’s Historic Battlefields
Step back in time along the Bozeman Trail, where history from storybooks feels vividly real for families. Visit Fort Phil Kearny State Historic Site and Interpretive Center to explore battlefields, learn about frontier strategies and stories, and witness the courage of those who shaped the frontier.
Time Travel on the Trails: Guided Tours and Reenactments
Wishing you could show your kids history firsthand? In Sheridan, Wyoming, you can. This Western city hosts annual reenactments and living history events through WYO State Parks, one of the top historical things to do and a chance to walk the frontier as it once was. Local tour operators curate custom trips to bring kids up close to historic sites and across sweeping Wyoming landscapes.
Sheridan’s Downtown: A Living History Lesson (with Style)
With 46 buildings listed on the National Register of Historic Places, Sheridan’s downtown weaves preserved frontier lore with the modern charm you’ve been waiting for, around every corner. These historic buildings whisper their authentic tales of the Old West, opening a thrilling peek into daily life of an enchanting era, all before setting off on your next storied family adventure.
Chase the Horizon: Kick Up Dust & Take In the Bighorn Majesty
No visit to Sheridan, Wyoming is complete without taking in the rugged lands, where history thrives in its natural habitat, with family-filled exploration and historic things to do across acres of land. The wild Bighorn foothills rise, rivers carve the land, and those classic skies stretch forever, turning every historic trek into a light-their-eyes-up journey through time.
Whether you’re hiking with the kids, driving scenic byways, or off on an unforgettable guided tour, Sheridan’s natural splendor shines its own rich history, creating an idyllic overnight escape for families.
Where Legends Stay: Plan Your Family’s Sheridan History Adventure
Frontier outposts. Battlefields that shaped a nation. Sheridan, Wyoming invites families to witness the past with a fresh New West twist. Plan your overnight stay, book guided tours, and explore the sites where history feels real and personal. Wander historic downtown with the whole family, then chase the origins of Western wonder together on an inspiring Sheridan retreat.
